Belo says Timor must decide own future
Belo says Timor must decide own future
DILI (JP): Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo called on
the government and international forums on Thursday to let the
East Timorese decide on the fate of their troubled province.
"We believe the solution lies with the East Timorese through a
common vision and perception about the future of the province,"
Belo said at the opening of a two-day dialog involving local
public figures in Dare, West Dili.
Fifty people attended the dialog, including local legislature
speaker Armindo Soares Mariano, East Timor Military Chief Col.
Tono Suratman, local police chief Col. Timbul Silaen, Dili Mayor
Mateus Maia and Dili regent Domingos Maria Das Dores Soares.
Baucau Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, who was one of the
initiators of the dialog, did not attend as he is still on a trip
to Europe.
Belo said he, along with Basilio, were asked by the local
government to initiate the dialog to defuse the mounting tension
between those for and against integration in the province in
recent weeks.
"We are attending the dialog to seek reconciliation among us
all," added Belo.
The bishop admitted to a ray of hope existing that the East
Timor question could be settled since an agreement was reached
between Portugal and Indonesia under the auspices of the United
Nations. The agreeement was to hold in-depth discussions on
Indonesia's proposal for special status and wide-ranging autonomy
for the province.
The United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at finding an
acceptable solution have dragged on since 1983. A new opportunity
appeared to open up when economic and political turmoil in May
ended three decades of rule by former president Soeharto.
President B.J. Habibie's administration had given conciliatory
gestures and promised amicable solutions, including autonomy, to
the issue.
In a further gesture, the Armed Forces completed the
withdrawal of more than 1,000 combat troops from East Timor
earlier last month.
However, the government remains steadfast in its rejection of
a referendum in the province to decide its future.
The former Portuguese colony was integrated into Indonesia in
1976 but the U.N. still recognizes Lisbon as the administrative
power. (33/byg)